Line-casting machine.



L. L; KENNEDY.

LINE CASTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 5, 1908.

Patented June 8, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' n we wtoz L. L. KENNEDY.

LINE CASTING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED MAY 5, 190a.

Patented June 8,

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UNITED STATES LUTHER L. KENNEDY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE.

PATENT OFFICE.

COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

LINE-CASTING MACHINE.

No. 924,243. Specification 0':

Letters Patent. Patented June 8, 1909.

Application filed May 5, 1908. Serial No. 430,926.

and useful Improvement in Line-Casting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines of the general character represented in Letters Patent of the United States No. 436,532, for producing type metal slugs or bars each having on one edge, properly justified, 'the characters to print a line. In these machines circulating matrices are selected in the required order and assembled temporarily in line. Each line is presented momentarily to the face of a slotted mold in which the slug is cast. While in this position the matrix line is elongated or justified to a predetermined length technically known as the measure, between two confining jaws or abutments by the expansion of double wedge spacers seated in the line between the word groups of matrices. I

The operating mechanism is sufficiently powerful to advance a large number of justifying wedges simultaneously through the line. In some classes of work it ha pens that only one or two wedges are emp oyed, and when the line is subjected to the very powerful expansive influences they are liable to cause a yielding of the parts and the ex cessive elongation of the line, so that the type characters overhang the edge of the slug at one or both ends.

The object of the present invention is to overcome this evil by automatically support ing the line-confining devices very firmly and in the exact positions desired; and this although the o eration of the machine requires the line to e repeatedly confined and re- The mechanism shown is a modification of, or an improvement upon, that shown in Let. ters Patent of the United States No. 817 ,646.

In the drawings,Figure 1 is a perspective view of the line-clampingmechanism and attendant parts. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section on the line 22, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the principal parts shown in Fig. 1, with the movable line-confining jaw in its first, or innermost position; effected by the first downward movement of the actuating wedge. Fi 4 is a horizontal section on the line 44, ig. 3. Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the line-confining jaws and adjacent parts, the jaws in their first or innermost position(also shownin Fig. 3) to resist the entrance of an overset line. Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the line 66, Fig. 4, with the parts in the same position as in Figs. 3 and 5. Fig. 7 is a vertical section on the line 6-6, with the movable jaw slightly retracted from its first position; due to the first upward movement of the actuating wedge. Fig. 8 is also a vertical section on the line 66, the arts being in such position that the distance lietween the jaws is exactly equal. to the length of the required line; due to the second downward movement of the wedge. Fig. 9 (Sheet 1) is a diagram illustrating the successive positions of the movable jaw. V Referring to the drawings, A, represents a )ortion of the rigid main-frame commonly nown as the vise-frame; B and C, the two matrix-confining jaws; D, the matrices in the composed line; E, the expanding wedge spacers or justifiers seated in the line between the matrices; G, an adjustable rod seated behind, and su porting, the horizon tally sliding jaw, C; a block surrounding and sustaining the rod G and adjustably connected thereto by a removable toothed pin, I. J, is a vertically movable slotted wedge seated on one side against the block H and on the opposite side against a bearing plate, K, which is in turn seated against and supported by a tubular screw, L, threaded horizontall which is free to slide therethrough when released from the pin, I. The wedge J is urged constantly upward by a spring k connected with the main-frame, and is drawn downward at the roper times, and to a greater or less extent, by a lever, dp

The lever, p", pivote at its rear end to the main-frame, is urged constantly upward by a spring, 1 and is forced downward at the propertlmes, and to the proper extent, by an overlying cam, N.

It will be observed that the upper.-end of the wedge is rovided with two reversely inclined-faoes, l and k, so that whether forced upward or drawn downward from the neutral osition, it will advance the block H, its rod and the matrix-confining jaw C, toward the o' posing jaw B, thus limiting or decreas ing t e space within which the matrix line is confined.

So far as described the foregoing parts are of essentially the same construction and have the same mode of operation as those described in Patent 817,646.

In carrying my invention into effect I modify the form of the cam N so that the movements of the wedge J and the jaw C differ both as to time and extent'from those in the patent referred to; and I provide means for ositively locking the jaw-supportin in a predetermined position efore t e casting action occurs, so that there can be no va* riation as to the distance betweenthe jaws due to variation in the osition of the wedge, as occasionally occurred in the original mechanism.

With the parts of the form shown, the action of the new mechanism is as follows: The jaws stand normally at a distance apart slightly greater than the length of the slug to be cast. The first downward movement of the wedge J advances the jaw C so that the distance between the two jaws is about twent thousandths'of an inch less than the lengt 1 of the required slug. While the jaws are in this po sition the composed line is lowered toward the castingposition between the jaws. If

the line is overset, or of excessive length, it is unable to enter the contracted space between the jaws, and the action of the machine is arrested until correction is made in the line. If the line is within the proper limits of lengthso that it can be justified to the final length-it "will descend freely between the jaws. This entrance is accompanied or followed by the first upward movement of the wed e, which permits the jaw O to recede unti the distance between it and the aw B is about ten thousandths of an inch less than the length of the line re uired. While the jaws are in this position t e wedge justifiers are forced upward through the line, as'usual, to effect the first or preliminary justification. After this action the second downward movement of the wedge occurs, slightly relieving the line endwise, so that the matrices-may be alined 'edgewise, or facewise, against the mold, as usual. After this action the second upward movement of the wedge occurs, and thejaw C is advanced untilthe distance between it and the jaw B is exactly e ual'to the length of the line demanded. hile the parts are in this position, and after the secend, or final elevation of the 'justifying wedges, casting occurs.

To recapitulate: The distance between the jaws is first reduced to about twenty thousandths of an inch less-than the required length of line; .thedistance is then increased to-ten thousandths of an inch less than the required ,"length; reliminary justification then occurs; the istance between the jaws is then increased until it corresponds with the exact length of the line final justifieation and casting then occur; and finally the jaws wedge the slug or printing bar is to be cast.

are separated to permit the free removal of the line.

In order to secure precision in the len th of the line it is necessary that the wedge always stand in the same position during the casting action. To insure its stoppage at this point I proposeto provide an automatic locking device of any suitable form. In the form shown it consists of a horizontal spring-actuated bolt, 0, seated in the main-frame and having its forward end adapted to enter a notch, j, in the wedge, so as to arrest the wedge at a definite point in its upward movement.

In order to throw the latch 0 into and out of action at the proper times I provide a vertically sliding pm, 0, mounted in the frame and having an inclined face seated against a shoulder on the latch, so that when the pin is moved upward, as shown in Fig. 8, it will permit the latch to advanceand arrest the wedge, and when it is forced downward, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, it will force the latch backward and hold it out of engagement.

The movement of the pin 0 is effected by two lips j and 7' on the side of the wed 'e.

The latch is held out of action until the second upwardmovement of the wedge sets the jaw C in the casting position. Whe' this point is reached the dog springs forwart under the influence of a spring, and enters the notchin the wedge.

It will be understood by the skilled mechanic that the essence of the invention lies in combining with the movable line confining jaw automatic means for placing it in the successive positions named, and in combining with the jaw-actuating mechanism means for locking this mechanism positively in a definite position when the jaw is at the casting point.

t will be manifest to the skilled mechanic that the parts may be widely varied in form and arrangement without essentially changing their mode of action.

I believe the present to be the first mechanism in which the movable line-confining jaw is set first in an advanced position to arrest overset' lines, secondly in a position to confine the line in less than its final length, thereafter in the casting position, and finally in a retracted position, to release the line.

- It will be understood that my invention is applicable to all machines of the general 0 ass described, that is'to say, all machines 12 in which the composed line of matrices is confined between jaws or abutments combined with mechanism for changing the distance between them.

The word line, as used in the present specification and claims, in connection with t 'e matrices, includes a line or series of matrices of any form when composed or assembled for cooperation with the mold in which H'avin thus described in invention, I claim an desire to secure by etters Patent:

1. In a machine of the, class described, jaws to confine the composed line of matrices and wedge justifiers, means for prebut less than thelength of the required line;

third, at a distance equal to the length of the required line; fourth, at a distance greater than the length of the required line, substan tially as described.

2. In a' machine of the class described, line-confining jaws, automatic means for setting one jaw'at four successive distances from the opposing jaw, substantially as described.

3. In a machine of the class described, two line-confining jaws, means for presenting'the composed line of matrices and Wedge spacers between the jaws, and automatic means for adjustin the distance between the jaws as follows: first, at a distance substantially less than the predetermined measure, to prevent the entrance of over-set'lines; second, at a reater distance, but less than the measure for the first justification third, at a distance corresponding to the-measure for the justifying and casting actions; fourth, at a greater distance to permit the removal of the justified line subse uent to the casting action.

4. In a mac ine of the class described, a line-confining jaw movable bothinward and outward past the casting position, movable means for supporting the aw in the casting position, and automatic means for positively determining the position of the supporting device at suchtime.

5. In a machine of the class described, a movable line-supporting jaw, a spring-actuated device for advancingthe jaw to the casting osition, and automatic means for positive y arresting such jaw at the predetermined point; whereby the sto page of the jaw at the castin point is insured.

direction, and the lever actuating 6. In a machine 0 the class described, the

combination of a movable line-supporting jaw O, a movable wedge J, intermediate parts through which the wedge acts to advance the jaw, and means for positively arresting the movement of the wedge at a fixed point.

7. In combination, the sliding jaw C, the movable wedge, acting to advance the jaw toward the line, and a stop to positively arrest the wedge when the-j aw is m the casting position.

8. In a machine of the class described, a movable jaw-actuating wedge J, means for moving the edge to and fro, and means for automatically arresting the wedge at a fixed point within its limit of movement to main tain the jaw in the casting position.

9. The wedge J having oppositely inclined faces, and the line-confining jaw C actuated thereby, in combination with the spring tending'to move-the wedge in one direction, the lever to move the wedge in the reverse cam formed to set the wedge in four positions as described.

10. In a machine of the class described, a j awactuating wedge J, in combination with a spring-actuated latch to arrest the same .in a definite osition, and automatic means for throwing t e latch into and out of action.

11.- In combination with the j aw-actuating wedge J, a latch to arrest the wedge in a definite position, and latch-controlling de- 'vices actuated by the wedge; whereby the wedge is permitted to move to and fro and thereafter locked in a definite intermediate position.

12. In combination, the reciprocating wedge J having shoulders jand 1' 1n combination with the s ring-actuated latch O and the latch-contro g slide 0 actuated by the shoulders of the slide.

In testimony whereof I hereunto, set m hand this twenty seventh day of April, 1908, in the presence of twoattesting witnesses.

LUTHER L. KENNEDY.

' Witnesses:

JOHN R. Rooms, JESSIE L. SMITH. 

